With just a few days left before the primary, I wanted to take a minute and share a few thoughts of encouragement and tell you why we are on the verge of success!

If you are discouraged by the direction this country is headed, disappointed by the acrimony and political power plays in congress, then guess what: You are not alone! A recent USA Today/Gallup poll found that 60 percent of Americans would only vote for someone who has never been in Congress. “Incumbents in general and Democrats in particular face a hot summer,” said the article. Here are a few excerpts:

Two-thirds of those surveyed this week describe themselves as “angry” about the way things are going in the USA, the highest percentage in the decade the question has been asked. By nearly 2-1, they would rather vote for a candidate who has never served in Congress over one with experience.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn, head of the GOP Senate campaign committee, says the party has “the wind at our back” and might regain control of Congress.

The poll finds a huge intensity gap between the parties: 50% of Republicans are “extremely motivated” to vote this year; 30% of Democrats are.

“Normally I vote Democrat, but right now I’m not real sure,” says Sherry Havard, 60, of Newton, Texas. “I just don’t like what they’re doing right now.”

Among registered voters, 42% say their view of Obama is “very important” in their vote for Congress.

After weeks of talking with concerned constituents from Coronado to Imperial Beach, I am not surprised by these findings. I have seen and heard your frustration with Obama, Pelosi, and Susan Davis. I know that you are hurt by high taxes that limit free market and squelch this country’s ability to grow economically and create jobs. I have heard your confusion and anger over our broken immigration system and the lack of action from Washington. I feel your bewilderment when your representatives would rather vote strictly with the party or pander to special interests rather than represent YOU. I am a career American like you and I understand and share these sentiments.

That is why this year we must turn things around. The Democrats wanted a chance to show this nation change. Now they’ve had their chance and look where we are. Americans everywhere feel like you do and they are going to do something about it.

With only a few days remaining in the primary stage of this race and I want to tell you why we can show Davis the door. I have been humbled by the incredible efforts of our grassroots network of over 300 people across the district, a much larger network than any one of the other republican candidates in this race. I have also been so encouraged by the clean campaign that we have put together over the last few months, free of backstabbing, bickering, and false accusations. It hasn’t happened in this campaign and I will not do it in congress. My career as a successful businessman has taken me across this country and I understand its unique needs. I know what it takes to make business grow and what true economic growth looks like. Most importantly, I am just like you, a Washington outsider and someone ready to fight for the people!

The statistics show that Americans are ready for fresh faces, with fresh ideas; Americans who are ready to represent their fellow citizens. I don’t believe Susan Davis has done that and I believe she must be held accountable. And while I greatly respect Michael Crimmins, Mari Fink, and C. Mason Weaver, I believe that my experience, my record, my support base, and my campaign show that I have what it takes to challenge Davis and win! I will lower taxes, especially on small businesses and allow the free market to create jobs and boost our economy the way it was meant to. I will secure our borders and actually fix the real problem that has caused rampant illegal immigration. I will fight for our veterans, cut reckless spending and show true discretion with YOUR money. I will listen to you, the people first and foremost. That is my pledge to you.

These past few months have been an incredible experience and I am truly humbled by all of your efforts and support. I am saddened by the direction I have seen this country heading, but the more I have spoken with you and heard your opinions the more I am encouraged that we really can bring back the REAL America! Only three days left, so every hour counts. Spread the word, get out the vote, and on June 8th let’s show San Diego, California, and America that enough is enough!

Did you hear how President Obama is trying to make illegal immigration easier? You probably didn’t, but I believe you should know. Here is an excellent FOX News article:

Illegal Alien Legal Challenges

By John Lott

Little noticed, last Friday the Obama administration yet again tried to make it easier for illegal aliens to stay in the United States. In a brief filed with the Supreme Court, the administration asked the court to carve out a special exemption for businesses who break the law by hiring illegal aliens.

In every state, individuals must have a business license to do a huge range of jobs, be it a restaurant, stores, salvage, selling cars, cleaning people’s houses, pest control, or other businesses. But people must get a criminal background check to get a license. Different states vary in terms of what crimes can disqualify one from getting a license — some including misdemeanors not covered in other states.

Similarly, if you commit a crime, your business license is very likely to be revoked. The same is true for professional licenses for lawyers, doctors, or even barbers. The logic for these rules is pretty strong. If someone commits a crime, states have decided those people can’t be trusted in dealing with consumers.

Both state and federal crimes are included in these criminal background checks, and it has always been up to the states to determine what crimes will bar people from being licensed. This is what the Obama administration now wants to change. The Obama administration wants crimes involving immigration violations specifically excluded from their licensing decisions.

When Obama’s Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano was Arizona’s governor back in 2007, she signed a law that added hiring illegal aliens to the list of crimes for which a business license could be revoked. Napolitano didn’t think that there were any legal problems with the law, and even defended it in court. Indeed, even the Ninth Circuit Federal Appeals Court — known for its left wing views — rejected challenges by illegal alien rights groups.

But the Obama administration has tried to rationalize its challenge to the Arizona law.

“Those provisions disrupt a careful balance that Congress struck nearly 25 years ago between two interests of the highest importance: ensuring that employers do not undermine enforcement of immigration laws by hiring unauthorized workers, while also ensuring that employers not discriminate against racial and ethnic minorities legally in the country,” Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal wrote the Supreme Court. “There is no reason to believe that Congress intended a result that would subvert the purpose and operation of its general prohibition on state sanctions.”

As states have always had the power to determine how criminal activity can cost people their business licenses, why didn’t the original Federal immigration law ban immigration law violations being considered?

But instead of guessing whether Congress “intended” such a result in 1986, there is a simple solution: Have Congress pass a law stating that immigration violations are the one crime that states must not consider for licensing. With massive overwhelming Democratic majorities in both the House and Senate, Democrats can do virtually anything that they want.

Part of the Obama administration’s motivation for this Supreme Court appeal is to create a legal precedent that only the Federal government can deal with immigration issues. They aim to use such a precedent to strike down the new Arizona immigration law that was just signed this year that allows local and state police to enforce Federal immigration law.

Asking courts to rewrite laws doesn’t show much respect for the rule of law. But maybe, despite massive Democratic majorities in both the House and Senate, the Obama administration knows that it doesn’t have the votes to pass such radical reform.

Obama, the master of double speak, is at it again. On the one hand he sent 1,200 Arizona National Guard troops to secure the border this week (which is certainly no permanent solution), yet on the other hand is actively seeking to make illegal immigration easier! And honestly, sending the National Guard to the border is more of a political chess move than a real world solution. The Douglas Dispatch reported, “According to reports, The Arizona National Guard did not have many answers, including what its mission was and when to report.”

I am deeply saddened by the trouble that immigration has caused this country. It is because of immigration that our ancestors came to this nation and why we are here today. It is also immigration that makes the U.S. so diverse and advanced. But now things are clearly out of control. When American jobs are being taken by illegals, wages driven down, and the rule of law flouted, something is very wrong.

I believe that the real answer to this immigration debacle goes beyond the border, although that is an important element. If we are truly going to solve the problem we have to identify it: Our legal immigration procedure. The system is broken and it simply takes too long for a hard working immigrant to come here who wants to honor the rule of law and bolster our economy. I will work toward fixing and streamlining our legal immigration system so that no one feels they have no alternative to illegal entry. By doing so we will know who is here and why, strengthening national security, boost our economy, and honor the rule of law.

Obama, Pelosi, and Susan Davis don’t seem to have any answers, or can’t decide on which answer they like best. Maybe if they stopped trying to pander to both sides of the political isle and actually looked for REAL solutions to the REAL problem it would be different.

We are just five days away from real change and real representation that starts with YOU, the people. I need your help if we are going to fix our broken immigration system, restore the integrity of the rule of law, and show Washington how Congress is meant to act. Thanks for all your help and lets spread the word!

With Memorial Day just around the corner, I want to take a few moments and reflect on what it means to honor those who have served and those who are currently serving this country by laying their lives on the line for our freedom.

I think it is wonderful that we have a national holiday to honor those who have given their lives in service of this nation. Where would we be if those faithful men and women had not bravely stormed the beaches of Normandy, given their blood in Okinawa, endured hellish conditions in Vietnam, or stood their ground in Fallujah and Bahgdad? The United States is only the great nation it is today because of the blood, sweat and tears of those in uniform. So many have left these safe shores and never returned. Many are all around us today, and they carry a burden most of us will never understand. I hope we take time this memorial day, and every day, to thank the men and women in our lives who have sacrificed in one way or another to protect our freedom, our land, and our lives.

But I have to wonder, our veterans fought bravely for us, but are we fighting for them? The 53rd district is filled with many veterans. We are so honored to have such a large number of service men and women in our communities. Given the great sacrifices they have made for us, the very least we can do is thank them by honoring their commitment and doing whatever it takes to protect their rights as veterans.

At the recent Coronado Forum, each of the candidates present was asked which Congressional committees they would like to be on. I was frankly stunned that none of my opponents, C. Mason Weaver, Michael Crimmins, nor Mari Fink mentioned the Veterans Affairs Committee. I was the only candidate to list this committee. With such a concentration of veterans in the 53rd I am convinced that we have a duty to fight for those who fought for us, and that your representative in Congress should be on the front lines. It seems to me that being on the Veterans Affairs Committee is the very least that a representative of the 53rd should be doing to serve those who served us. I am saddened that none of my opponents seem to share this view.

Of course, having a day to recognize those who paid the ultimate price for freedom is important. But I think we can best honor those who have died in service by showing active and real support for those brave men and women who are still among us. I am deeply moved and humbled by the sacrifices of each and every one of you who have served and are currently serving in the military. That is why I will be in the trenches of Washington and on the front lines in Congress fighting for you.

It has been a busy few weeks around San Diego for my family and me. With the election only three weeks away, this is when it really counts! I know San Diego well from the many years I’ve lived here, but being on the campaign trail has helped me get up close in personal in a whole new and wonderful way! I have met some incredible people, heard amazing stories, and share wonderful experiences with so many of you. The past few weeks have showed me more than ever why San Diego is so worth fighting for and why YOU the people deserve a representative that actually represents the PEOPLE!

Here are just a few highlights:

Great meeting with John Boehner, the House Minority leader

Endorsed by City Councilman Carl DeMaio! Thanks Carl!

Met some wonderful ladies at the 4K for Friedman Fundraiser in Spring Valley. Thanks for all your help!

I came across this article the other day and thought it had some great insight into Elana Kagan’s nomination for SCOTUS. Just one more big way Obama plans to undermine the Constitution. Let me know what you think!

Kagan Disqualifies Herself

There’s been a lot written already about Elena Kagan’s nomination to SCOTUS. People have been talking about how she’s never been a judge before or how there is limited evidence of her views and how she would rule.

I’m here to tell you that Ms. Kagan has already disqualified herself with one statement. There is no need for anyone to do any more searching or pour over documents or try to dig up dirt.

This comes directly from a post on the site Kagan Watch and the bold emphasis is from the author and not me.

In a questioner from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R) about gun rights during her confirmation to be Solicitor General, Kagan had this to say:

“Once again, there is no question, after Heller, that the Second Amendment guarantees individuals the right to keep and bear arms and that this right, like others in the Constitution, provides strong although not unlimited protection against governmental regulation.”

Did you catch that? No not the blatant disregard for the Second Amendment. It’s not the effort Ms. Kagan puts into trying to rewrite the Second Amendment either.

Have you found it yet? It’s only two words. Give up?

“… after Heller…”

Ms Kagan reveals that case law would be the basis for any decisions she makes as a Justice of SCOTUS, not the Constitution as it was written and originally intended.

“There is no position which depends on clearer principles, than that every act of a delegated authority, contrary to the tenor of the commission under which it is exercised, is void. No legislative act, therefore, contrary to the Constitution, can be valid. To deny this, would be to affirm, that the deputy is greater than his principal; that the servant is above his master; that the representatives of the people are superior to the people themselves; that men acting by virtue of powers, may do not only what their powers do not authorize, but what they forbid.

If it be said that the legislative body are themselves the constitutional judges of their own powers, and that the construction they put upon them is conclusive upon the other departments, it may be answered, that this cannot be the natural presumption, where it is not to be collected from any particular provisions in the Constitution. It is not otherwise to be supposed, that the Constitution could intend to enable the representatives of the people to substitute their will to that of their constituents. It is far more rational to suppose, that the courts were designed to be an intermediate body between the people and the legislature, in order, among other things, to keep the latter within the limits assigned to their authority. The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts. A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular act proceeding from the legislative body. If there should happen to be an irreconcilable variance between the two, that which has the superior obligation and validity ought, of course, to be preferred; or, in other words, the Constitution ought to be preferred to the statute, the intention of the people to the intention of their agents.

Nor does this conclusion by any means suppose a superiority of the judicial to the legislative power. It only supposes that the power of the people is superior to both; and that where the will of the legislature, declared in its statutes, stands in opposition to that of the people, declared in the Constitution, the judges ought to be governed by the latter rather than the former. They ought to regulate their decisions by the fundamental laws, rather than by those which are not fundamental.”

Alexander Hamilton

In other words, the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land, not case law.

Based on Ms. Kagan’s own words, she has disqualified herself from ever serving the citizens of this great country as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Several weeks ago I had the pleasure of being on the Rick Roberts show to talk about my platform, immigration, how we’re planning on showing Susan Davis the door and a lot more! I thought it was a great opportunity and I hope a lot people were able to hear about all the big changes that are happening here in the 53rd! If you missed it, here is the complete audio of the conversation. Keep up the great work and spread the word! No more business as usual in 2010!